Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca Review
The Dirty Projectors’ the Brooklyn based collective involving multiple performers using a mix of pop and classical elements. They’ve been around since 2002 and to be fair I only began to know about them with their 2007 release Rise Above. I was actually unable to get my hands on Rise Above and knowing my musical tastes back then, it would’ve been a difficult album for me to review. Fast forward to 2009, the Dirty Projectors’ collaboration with David Byrne could be one of the best songs of the year as the lead track on the compilation Dark Was The Night. Anyway, “Bitte Orca” has been receiving massive critical praise from just about everyone so it was a must album to check out – I just happen to be a month late.
It’s hard to say where to begin on the album. It’s certainly a different brand of music with unique compositions but I don’t really find it challenging to listen to. Just a different type of pop with excellent singing from main composer David Longstreth as well from female vocalists Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian. It’s difficult to say why this works compared to many outfits who may be trying something new. So I’m not going to discuss it more then that. It’s an intricate album with some outstanding tracks.
My favourite song on the album is “Two Doves” which is more of a soft, relaxing song compared to the other 8 tracks. It gets the job done in just a short time and I absolutely love the track. My secondary favourite is probably a tie-between Stillness Is A Move, and Useful Chamber.
Another thing, I’d have to mention – I love the album but I don’t love it enough to give it that “perfect” rating. It’s a superb album but I just feel reserved to give a seemingly short 9 song, 41 minute album more then it’s due. The songs are all great but as an album it doesn’t quite satisfy and every single level such as flow – in a sense all the songs are stand alone. Perhaps it’s being slightly overrated (but I’m the type that believes it’s better to be overrated then underrated) but that’s ultimately getting away from telling you that it’s a good album that is worth it’s weight in hype.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Two Doves by Dirty Projectors
Useful Chamber by Dirty Projectors
Tags: album
